Published 6:00 pm, Friday, January 1, 2010

Austin Burns never dreamed that he would have had as much fun playing football for Texas Tech as he has the last four years.

As a walk-on from Midland High School back in 2005, Burns was probably a long shot to get much playing time with the Red Raiders. But then came the opportunity to be the starting deep snapper in 2006 and he’s been one of the most dependable special teams players Texas Tech has had over the last four years.

“I never think you can plan on how your playing career is going to go,” said Burns in a interview earlier this month. “I just went with it and it took me for a great ride. I’m one that appreciates every opportunity I’ve gotten at Texas Tech, and I’ve gotten to play with some great players like Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell.”

At 8 p.m. today, Burns will cap off his playing career as his Red Raiders (8-4) play Michigan State (6-6) in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. It will also be the first game Texas Tech will be playing without 10-year head coach Mike Leach, who was fired on Wednesday after allegations arose that he mistreated a player. Burns, who is one of 19 seniors on the roster, has not commented on the situation.

This will be the fourth bowl game Burns will enjoy as the starting deep snapper, following trips to the Insight Bowl in 2006, the Gator Bowl at the end of the 2007 season, and the Cotton Bowl last season. And during that time, Texas Tech has enjoyed a record of 36-15. Burns has also started every one of those games, breaking a school record for most consecutive starts.

And during that consecutive starting streak, Burns was instrumental in helping former Tech kicker Alex Trlica break the NCAA record of 233 consecutive point-after kicks without a miss.

“You never dream of doing something like breaking a consecutive starting streak at Texas Tech and being a part of Trlica’s record,” Burns said. “When I was in line for the position and competing for the position, I learned a lot of things and one of them was having a good work ethic. I really saw that work ethic from players around me and I learned a lot from the previous deep snapper. I also learned from Alex Trlica and (former punter) Alex Reyes on not worrying about things you can’t control. You just worry about the things you can control.”

Burns also got to enjoy last year’s 11-2 season, in which the Red Raiders climbed to as high as No. 2 in the BCS rankings and upset then No. 1-ranked Texas in Lubbock, 39-33.

Burns and the Red Raiders were hoping for similar results this season but injuries and tough road losses had them finishing 8-4, which was still better than many people outside of the program expected.

“I think the Alamo Bowl is a really good bowl to go to,” Burns said. “I think we’ve done a good job this year. We expected a little bit more but we had some key guys get injured and had some things that didn’t go our way this year. We won’t use that as an excuse. We take a lot of pride in everything we do and everybody will be ready to play when the time comes.”

After his playing career is over Burns is hoping to get into city management. He got his bachelor’s degree last May and is currently working on his master’s in public administration. That only makes sense, considering his dad Bobby is a former Midland mayor.

“You know, it’s something I grew up with, so it was only natural I would have interest in getting into this line of work,” Burns said. “It took me a while to realize it, but now I’m having a lot of fun with it.”

And whatever happens tonight, Burns said he will have no regrets about how his playing career or time at Texas Tech went over the past four years.

“It’s been a series of last things for me over the season and I’m content with it,” he said. “I haven’t left anything out there. I have one more game to not really prove myself but have fun. Because when it comes down to it, I had a game to play and a job to do.”

And it was a job, although not considered glamorous, that was done very well by Burns.